Contactless card payment limit could be raised to £100, FCA says

The limit on the amount allowed to be spent in a single contactless card payment could be raised to £100, the City regulator has revealed.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) increased the limit for contactless transactions from £30 to £45 last April at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in a bid to help businesses and consumers as they pivoted away from cash to aid social distancing.  

The body revealed on Wednesday that it now intends to “shortly” consult on a possible increase to this limit.

It said: "It's important that payments regulation keeps pace with consumer and merchant expectations.

"Recognising changing behaviour in how people pay, as part of a wider consultation, we will shortly be seeking views on amending our rules to allow for a possible increase in the contactless limit to £100.”

"Tap and go" contactless cards initially had a limit of £10 in 2007, and this was increased to £15 in 2010, £20 in 2012 and £30 in 2015.